Sarah Veronica Sullivan

Sarah, 96, known to everyone as Sadie, passed away on February 23, 2025 in the comfort of her home. She was the fifth of a family of 10 children - 3 boys and 7 girls. Born in Coleraine Northern Ireland to Samuel and Annie Creelman on May 27, 1928.

Sadie was blessed with much beauty. Her father apparently said to her mother "how did we get such a beautiful child". In her teenage years she was involved in her local drama society and had her photograph on the front cover of The Women’s Realm Magazine. Sarah was a feisty young person who excelled at all forms of sports such as the native Irish game of Camogie, roller skating and from all accounts loved dancing including the Jitter Bug. In later years, Sadie managed to get the opportunity to compete in tennis; she was seated in Florida and won several trophies in her class.

Sadie was a keen film buff and could name Actors and Actresses as far back as the 1920s. These older films remained her favorite viewing on TCM Movies.

Sadie met Robert Sullivan, an American Serviceman who was on service in Northern Ireland, in 1945. They fell in love and married later that year in St John's Roman Catholic Church Coleraine. Sadie's grandparents had been caretakers of the church for many years. Family have relayed that there was a procession of the local community lining the walk from the church to see this local beauty's wedding. Sadie was 17 years old and a G I Bride.

Sadie moved to America in 1946, travelling on her own as her new husband Robert had returned with his squadron at the end of the Second World War. Pat was born in 1947 and Maureen in 1955. Sadie was a very loving mother who doted on her girls. They both made their parents very proud and were very successful in their careers. 

Robert went on to work for the State Department and was posted to Antofagasta, Chile where the family resided for 8 years. During Sadie's time living in Chile, she learned to play tennis and was coached by a Chilean Professional Tennis player. This facilitated her lifelong dream to compete as a tennis player.

Sadie had a zest for life and enjoyed travelling. Always returning to Ireland to spend time with her parents and siblings who were so precious to her. She travelled back to Ireland last year and experienced a reunion of family and relations which proved to be a very special occasion for everyone involved. Family meant everything to Sadie, and she had very precious years living with her daughter Maureen "may she rest in peace" and then Pat, who treasured her and will miss her very much.

Sadie had an inner beauty and kindness which radiated to those who knew and loved her. To cite the words of an Irish song "A mothers love is a blessing!"

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 12:00pm in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal Street, Milton, Delaware. A time of visitation for family and friends will begin at 11:00am. Burial will immediately follow at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Cemetery in Lewes, Delaware.

Messages of comfort and sympathy can be offered to Sadie’s family at: www.shortfuneralservicesandcremations.com